A roadmap for virtual testing and virtual processing of cast metallic materials

Abstract

A multiscale modeling strategy is presented to carry out virtual design, virtual processing and virtual testing of metallic alloys for engineering applications manufactured by casting. Multiscale modeling will be tackled using a bottom-up, hierarchical approach. Modeling efforts begin with ab initio simulations and bridging of the length and time scales will be accomplished through different multiscale strategies which will encompass the whole range of length and time scales required by virtual design, virtual processing and virtual testing. Nevertheless, not everything can or should be computed and critical experiments are an integral part of the program for the calibration and validation of the multiscale strategies. Examples of application of the different parts of the strategy to simulate the microstructure and the properties of Ni-based superalloy components manufactured by investment casting for the aerospace industry will be presented.